Veggies are essential ingredients for several family meals due to their high nutrition value. Refrigerating is one of the great methods to store them for later use. Let’s find out how to store vegetables in the fridge for long time by reading the following article.
Why should you keep vegetables in the fridge?
The cool temperature inside the fridge might help your veggies fresh longer rather than staying outside. This storage method will protect these vegetables from ripen very quickly before you are ready to eat.
With the proper preservation, you can maintain the freshness and good flavor of most vegetables. Besides, being stored in the fridge does not reduce their nutritional value.
Rubbermaid 6-Piece Produce Saver Containers for Refrigerator
Which vegetables should not stay in the fridge?
Even though refrigerating is good for veggies, there are some types you should keep out of the fridge as follows:
- Garlic, shallots, and onions excluding scallions and spring onions. They are more likely to stay in a cool and dry place rather than in the fridge in case you do not peel or cut them.
- Potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro, manioc, and cassava
- Thick-skinned squash: butternut, kabocha, and acorn
- Unripe tomatoes: You leave tomatoes outside until they ripe
How to store vegetables in the fridge for long time
In fact, each type of vegetable will need different care when you keep it in the fridge. However, for most veggies, you should apply some following ways to keep them fresh.
- Separate vegetables and fruits
You should keep them apart from each other in different containers and positions. That is because they can overripe very fast if they are stored together.
DASH Safe Slice® Mandoline Slicer
- Rinse veggies in advance
After buying from any local grocery, you had better take them out of the packaging and make them clean with water. Then, you should give them a few minutes to drain completely before sealing them in several plastic bags.
- Use airtight bags or containers
It is not good for your veggies as the air or any smell inside the fridge goes into their containers.
- Do not pile too much veggies
You should arrange all vegetables carefully so that they are not damaged by each other. Besides, this might help to make room for them to breathe.
Tips to make veggies fresh longer in the fridge
If you would like to keep vegetables fresh longer in the fridge, you can consider some of these methods including:
- Keep the inside temperature about 34 degrees Fahrenheit: This seems to be the ideal temperature to keep veggies crispy and fresh.
- Store different containers of vegetables in the drawer of the fridge: It is safe to store them in the bottom of the fridge so that you can protect them from any other foods.
- Freeze your vegetables for an extended period of time: In case you do not eat them right away, you can freeze most veggies for longer use. However, before freezing, remember to blanch and cool them down to maintain their quality. You should use freezer-safe containers for better freezing.
- Remove the leafy green tops from carrots: To prevent the tops of carrots from absorbing the nutrients.
- Wrap cucumbers in a paper towel: Once they dry out totally, you should cover them with a paper towel to avoid sogginess.
Further reading: How to Store Fruit in a Mini Fridge to Keep It Fresh Longer?
FAQs
Which container is the best to store vegetables in the fridge?
- Paper bags for mushrooms
- Plastic bag or container for most veggies such as potatoes, carrots, celery, broccoli, or cabbage
- Sealed bags for fresh herbs and greens
You should select BPA-free plastic bags instead of the commercial ones in order to avoid spreading any toxic chemicals during storage time.
Further reading: Best Reusable Freezer Bags for Meat, Vegetables and Liquids
How long do your vegetables last in the fridge?
- Between 3 and 5 days: spinach, summer squash, sprouts, peas inside the pod, broccoli, and asparagus
- About one week: potatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, cauliflower
- More than one week: both red and green peppers, green onions, celery, parsnips, rutabaga
Which vegetables should not be frozen in the fridge?
- Eggplant
- Potatoes (except for smashed potatoes)
- Sprouts
- Radishes
- Artichokes
- Sweet potatoes
- Lettuce greens
- Belgian endive
Should you store canned vegetables in the fridge?
It is better to keep your unopened canned vegetables on the counter or cupboard instead of the fridge. These types of veggies can last from 1 to 2 years depending on the manufacturers.
Never forget this as well
It is a great idea to store most of your vegetables in the fridge for any later use. To maintain their quality, you should rinse them under clean water and let them dry out before storing in the fridge. And you ought to select the safe bags or containers to keep your veggies for long-term storage.
References:
2. How to Store Vegetables to Keep them Fresh, unlockfood.ca, Retrieved on Aug. 9, 2021
